Easy access and multi-view jewelry box

ABSTRACT

A jewelry box and method of storing jewelry is described herein which affords the user a multi-perspective view of the jewelry. The method and box provide a simple means of placing, retrieving, and replacing the desired jewelry without requiring fine dexterity. Rods of the jewelry box readily accommodate user&#39;s having conditions such as arthritic immobility or long ornamental finger nails. The present jewelry box is quick and easy to use, while promoting tangle free necklace storage. Fine jewelry chains are protected from tarnish and readily accommodated next to bulky bead-like strands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to jewelry boxes, and more particularly toeasy and efficient storage of necklaces and bracelets.

Conventional jewelry boxes, such as the jewelry boxes in FIGS. 1A and1B, provide hooks 110 and short pegs 160, respectively, on which to hangnecklaces, bracelets, or other chain-like jewelry. Necklaces 130 storedin these configurations can only be viewed from the front, and if morethan one necklace 131, 132, 133, 134 is hung on a given hook 110 or peg160, the back necklace 134 is difficult for the jewelry box user to viewwithout removing at least one necklace, such as the one in front 131.These jewelry boxes 100, 150 only afford unobstructed views of the frontmost piece of jewelry, such as the front piece 131 shown in FIG. 1A. Thepegs 160, likewise only provide an unobstructed view of a front necklace161. Bulky jewelry, such as a string of large precious stones or pearlsmay be quite difficult to hang in conventional jewelry boxes.

Placement, retrieval, and replacement of necklaces in conventionaljewelry boxes, such as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B require tediousand intricate manipulation by the user. Some health conditions, such asarthritis, or cosmetic conditions, such as long artificial fingernailscan make the necessary manipulations to use the jewelry box for necklacestorage, retrieval and replacement impossible or impractical.

Another type of conventional jewelry box 200, such as the one shown inFIG. 2, provides a pocket 210 in which dangling jewelry 220, such asnecklaces, clump together. The storage method provided in a jewelry boxwith a pocket such as 210, promotes inter-tangling of the storedjewelry. The view afforded by such a jewelry box, is frontal and onlypartial since part of the jewelry is within the pocket. While theserrated blades 230 keep the necklaces separated at one end, the otherend will clump in the pocket, limiting the number of necklaces which canbe stored in such a conventional box and remain tangle-free. Fine motorskills and intricate manipulation is also required for removal andreplacement of necklaces on the serrated blade 230 of box 200. Temporaryconditions, such as wet nails, make it difficult to use necklace storagein conventional jewelry boxes, such as 200, 100, and 150.

It is desirable to provide a jewelry box which provides efficientstorage, retrieval and replacement of jewelry and multi-viewing of thejewelry without removal. In addition, tangle free necklace storage isalways desirable. Ready accommodation of fine chain, pearls, and largerstrung beads in the same easy efficient storage is desirable. Andfurther, efficient ease of use for a wide range of users is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses some of the shortcomings of jewelryboxes discussed above and provides additional benefits as well.

One aspect of the present invention is to enable efficient placement,removal and replacement of necklaces.

Another aspect of the present invention is to readily permit front andside viewing of dangling jewelry without removal from the jewelry box.

Another aspect of the present invention is to permit viewing ofnecklaces and bracelets side by side while both necklaces and braceletsare dangling and tangle free.

Another aspect of the present invention is to be user friendly, readilymanipulated by one with impaired finger dexterity, arthritis, longfinger nails, or other manipulation challenge.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a means fornecklace storage which promotes tangle free display and storage.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide necklace storagein a jewelry box which can readily accommodate varying sizes of necklacesuch as chains as well as strings of large beads, shells, stones,crystals or the like.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide storage withinhibits tarnishing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIGS. 1A-1B shows conventional jewelry boxes which provide hooks andshort pegs, respectively, for necklace storage;

FIG. 2 shows a conventional jewelry box in which dangling jewelry, suchas necklaces, clump together in a pocket;

FIGS. 3A-3B show an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, inthe closed and open position, respectively;

FIGS. 4A-4D shows a back, necklace side, bracelet side, and top side,respectively, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 5A-5B show front views of two embodiment of the present invention,A) shows a left and right door embodiment while B) shows a single doorembodiment;

FIG. 6A-6C show exemplary single door embodiments in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIGS. 7 A-7E show the ease with which a user is able to remove andreplace necklaces in a jewelry box in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as defined by the claims, may be better understood byreference to the following detailed description. The description ismeant to be read with reference to the figures contained herein. Thisdetailed description relates to examples of the claimed subject matterfor illustrative purposes, and is in no way meant to limit the scope ofthe invention. The specific aspects and embodiments discussed herein aremerely illustrative of ways to make and use the invention, and do notlimit the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 3A-3B show an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, inthe closed and open position, respectively. FIG. 3A shows an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention comprising two side doors, 310 and320, a top 330, and a set of drawers 340 between the two side doors.FIG. 3B shows the jewelry box opened. The top 330 is raised, exposingside compartments 315 and 325. Side doors 310 and 320 are open exposingfirst rod 350 and second 360 and third 365 rods. Also shown in this openposition are two of three pivotal mounts 380 and 385. FIG. 3B showspivotal mounts 380 comprising a right angled U-shape bracket 382 with apin passing the bracket and the rod, where the rod is free to pivotabout the pin in the horizontal plane and is prevented from rotatingvertically with the bracket. This pivotal mount is merely exemplary andvarious suitable substitutes can be substituted by one of ordinaryskill, in keeping within the scope and spirit of the invention. First,second and third fasteners are present but not shown in FIGS. 3A-3B. Allthree rods are shown pivoted in the horizontal plane off a right anglefrom the back 390 of the box 300. Although not shown, any of the rods,need not be cylindrical, for example, a half-pipe could be used. Otherrod configurations permitting ease of removal and replacement arepossible in accordance with the present invention. Additional examplesinclude a triangular, square, or I-beam cross-section.

FIGS. 4A-4D shows a back side 490, necklace side 410, bracelet side 420,and top side 430, respectively, of an embodiment of the presentinvention, according to an exemplary embodiment. As can be seen fromFIGS. 4A-4D, the top side 430 covers the side compartments 415 and 425.The height 450 of the back 490 and sides 410, 420 are between 11 and 15inches, in accordance with the present invention and dependent upon anembodiment thereof. The width 452 of the side and depth of the top 453is in a range of 6 to 9 inches, in accordance with the present inventionand depending on the embodiment thereof. The width of the side doors isin the range of 3.5 to 5.0 inches, in accordance with the presentinvention and depending on the embodiment thereof.

The back side 490 of box 400 has three parts, a back of a necklace door412, and a back of a bracelet door 422, and a main back 492. These backsof the doors 410 and 420 are each secured to the main back 492 of thebox 400 by hinges which enable the doors to open up such that the sideof the door is parallel or nearly parallel to the back of the box, aslater described and as shown in FIG. 7B, which further contributes tothe ease of jewelry manipulation for the box user and to multipleviewing perspectives.

FIGS. 5A-5B show front views of two embodiments of the presentinvention, A) shows a left and right door embodiment 500 while B) showsa single door embodiment 510. A two door embodiment in accordance withthe present invention opens as shown in FIG. 3A. In contrast, FIG. 5Bopens, according to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B. Rods inaccordance with a two door embodiment may mount to the back of a sidedoor of the jewelry box. In alternate embodiments of the presentinvention, three rods can be mounted within a single door compartment ina single door jewelry box. The rods in a one door jewelry box may extendfrom a back or a drawer side of the jewelry box.

FIG. 6A shows a top view of exemplary grooved rods 650, 660 in anexemplary single door embodiment 600 in accordance with the presentinvention. A third rod mounted vertically beneath rod 650 or 660 canprovide another post for bracelets, in accordance with another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. In accordance with the presentinvention, any of the rods in any of the embodiments may be grooved ornotched to restrict movement of the jewelry hanging on the rod in theaxial direction. In yet another embodiment, the rods may be covered withanti-tarnish material or other cloth. The doors and drawers, such as310, 320 and 340, respectively, in FIG. 3A, may also be lined with clothor anti-tarnish material.

The doors in accordance with the present invention may comprise morethan one set of hinges 640, 642, 644, such as the hinge positions shownin FIG. 6A. The door 610, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A has a front616, a side 612, and a back 614 each divided by a set of hinges. Rods650 and 660 extend from the back of the door 614 and fasten 633, 635 tothe front of the door 610. A rod fastening mechanism in accordance withthe present invention may be a magnet and metal combination. A fastener672 for securing the door to the box may also be magnetic.

FIG. 6B shows an exemplary single door jewelry box embodiment 601 withthe door 615 in an open position. Two front rods are shown 650, 655,vertically displaced, while a third rod is behind the top rod. In theparticular embodiment of 601, a single set of hinges 644 connect theside door to the back of the box 690. Door fastener 672 is shown, whilerod fasteners, such as 633 and 635 in FIG. 6A, are not shown.

In yet another embodiment, shown for example in FIG. 6C, the pivotalmounts are mounted to a side piece adjacent to the drawers 640 and therods 650, 660 extend parallel to the back of the box, 690. Door 617 hasthree sets of hinges 640, 642, 644 and fastens to the front of thejewelry box 603 via fastener 672. Given the three sets of hinges, thedoor can be open front 616 first about hinge set 640, or as a unit 615about hinge set 644. Rod 660 is shown covered in tarnish resistantmaterial.

As can be seen from FIGS. 7A-7B, a rod, in accordance with the presentinvention accommodates jewelry forms from fine chains to bulky beads. Asingle door embodiment of the present invention, such as the example ofFIG. 6A, enables the user to get a close full view of necklaces andbracelets in a dangling orientation and adjacent to each other. Viewingmultiple sides of each jewelry piece side by side. The rods, inaccordance with the present invention, readily accommodate wide bands,such as solid bracelets or watches.

FIGS. 7 A-7E show the ease with which a user is able to remove andreplace necklaces in a jewelry box in accordance with the presentinvention. Turning first to FIG. 7A, a user easily swings the desireddoor 710 open, unlatches a first end of the rod 750, and pivots the rodabout its mount 780. The rod may be secured by a magnet which willrelease the rod with just a nudge or in accordance with an alternateembodiment a button may be pushed to disengage a latch which grasps therod. In yet another embodiment a fastener is spring loaded andcompression of the spring releases the rod. In another example, a springmounted magnetic may be used to secure the rod at end opposite thepivotal mount. In still another embodiment, the rod is held in place byfriction about the pivot point and is not fastened on the opposite end,while a gentle push still rotates the rod about its pivot mount.

As shown in FIG. 7B the user reaches in and grasps a number of necklacesand lifts them off of the rod. As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, all these movesrequire little dexterity of complex fine motor skills. In FIG. 7C, theuser selects a bulky necklace, for example, and in FIG. 7D, returns theremaining necklaces to the rod 750. And finally, as shown in FIG. 7E therod 750 is readily secured, fastened again to the front side of the door710. When the door opens about its hinges the rod rotates on its mountremaining attached to the front of the door until the user desires torelease the rod.

While specific alternatives to steps and elements of composition of theinvention have been described herein, additional alternatives notspecifically disclosed but known in the art are intended to fall withinthe scope of the invention. Thus, it is understood that otherapplications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilledin the art upon reading the described embodiment and after considerationof the appended claims and drawing.

1. A jewelry box comprising: a back; a top hinged to a back; two side doors hinged to the back enclosing two side compartments, wherein when the top is lifted there is nothing covering the two side compartments, the two doors comprising a front and a side; at least one pivotal mount on the back; at least one fastener on a front of a door; a rod secured in the at least one pivotal mount on the back and fastened to a front of a side door, wherein when a side door is opened, the at least one rod can be unfastened; and a set of drawers between the two side doors.
 2. The jewelry box according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one pivotal mount rotates in the horizontal plane
 3. The jewelry box according to claim 1, wherein: the fastener is a magnet and the rod comprises a metal end.
 4. The jewelry box according to claim 1, further comprising: one pivotal mount on the back on a first side; two pivotal mounts on the back on a second side; one fastener on a front of a side door and two fasteners on the front of the other side door; and a rod secured in each pivotal mount on a first end and fastened to an opposing fastener on the front of a respective door.
 5. The jewelry box according to claim 4, wherein: the two pivotal mounts on the back on the second side are displaced vertically from each other by between 2 and 4 inches.
 6. The jewelry box according to claim 4, wherein: the two side doors have a height of at least 10 inches.
 7. The jewelry box according to claim 4, wherein: at least one rod is grooved along a top surface.
 8. The jewelry box according to claim 1, wherein: The rod is grooved along a top surface.
 9. A jewelry box comprising: a back; a top hinged to a back; a side door hinged to the back enclosing a side compartments, wherein when the top is lifted there is nothing covering the two side compartments, the door comprising a front and a side; at least one pivotal mount on the back; at least one fastener on a front of the door; a rod secured in the at least one pivotal mount on the back and fastened to the front of a side door, wherein when a side door is opened, the at least one rod can be unfastened; and a set of drawers positioned next to the side door.
 10. The jewelry box according to claim 9, further comprising: a first pivotal mount mounted within 2 inches of the top of the jewelry box; a second and third pivotal mount are positioned horizontally from the first mount and vertically displaced from each other.
 11. The jewelry box according to claim 10, wherein: the first and second mount are parallel to each other in the horizontal plane.
 12. The jewelry box according to claim 9, wherein: the rod has a grooved top surface.
 13. A method of retrieving and replacing necklaces, the method comprising: opening a side door; unfastening a rod; rotating the rod on a pivotal mount in the horizontal plane past a right angle from a back of the jewelry box; removing at least two necklaces stored on the rod; returning an at least one necklace onto the rod; rotating the rod back into the right angle position; and closing the opened door.
 14. A method of viewing necklaces and bracelets simultaneously in a jewelry box, the method comprising: opening a first side door; unfastening a first rod; rotating the first rod on a pivotal mount in the horizontal plane past a right angle from a back of the jewelry box; opening a second side door; unfastening a second rod; rotating the second rod on a pivotal mount in the horizontal plane past a right angle from a back of the jewelry box; and viewing an at least one necklace on the first rod and an at least one bracelet on the second rod.
 15. A jewelry box comprising: a pivotal mount; a rod secured in the pivotal mount, which rotates in the horizontal plane and extends parallel to the bottom of the box; an open area within the jewelry box and beneath and around the rod have a vertical distance of at least 7 inches.
 16. The box according to claim 15, wherein: The rod has a diameter or width between three-eighths and three-fourths of an inch.
 17. The box according to claim 15, further comprising: anti-tarnish material disposed upon the rod.
 18. The box according to claim 15, wherein: The rod has at least one of grooves or notches. 